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Ogemaw commissioners weigh moratorium on large-scale solar, wind and data centers while updating master plan
Summary
County planning staff told commissioners the master plan — last updated in 2016 — must be revised to address data centers and utility-scale renewable projects; several commissioners urged a temporary moratorium while ordinances and the plan are rewritten and reviewed by legal counsel.
Ogemaw County planning staff and commissioners on Tuesday opened a lengthy discussion about updating the county master plan and whether to impose a temporary moratorium on permitting of large-scale solar, wind, battery storage and data-center projects.
Ryan Beer, speaking for the county planning function, told the board the county’s master plan has not been updated since 2016 and “for our master plan to be effective … those particular projects should be discussed or actually in our master plan.” Beer said the planning commission is considering issuing an RFP to get cost estimates and noted an update could cost “$25,000” to “$35 to $40,000,” depending on scope.
Why it matters: Commissioners said new types of land use — especially utility-scale solar and data centers — are not reflected in the county’s zoning documents. Several members argued that adopting a moratorium would buy time to complete the master plan and craft ordinance language that addresses local land-use, environmental and infrastructure impacts.
Commissioner Craig Scott framed the choice as one of local control and liability, saying the county must protect itself from legal exposure while preserving “our voice” on local development. “One little lawsuit in something like this could be very detrimental to the county,” Scott said. He and other commissioners urged legal review before any moratorium is adopted and suggested sample moratorium language could be provided to the county attorney.
Planning staff and commissioners also raised questions about how a local moratorium would interact with state permitting. Beer and others referenced Public Act 233 of 2023 and discussions with state representatives; one commissioner asked whether a local moratorium would halt permitting that could otherwise proceed at the state level. County staff committed to ask the county attorney and to contact the Michigan Public Service Commission for clarification.
What was proposed: Planning commissioners recommended a temporary six-month moratorium — with the possibility of extension to one year — on permitting for utility-scale solar, wind, battery and data-center projects while the master plan and ordinances are updated. The board did not adopt moratorium language on Tuesday; members asked staff to bring a legally drafted resolution and sample language back to committee for review.
Context and next steps: Beer said more than 50 Michigan communities are currently using moratoria to pause permitting while they update local regulations. Commissioners asked staff to prepare an RFP for a master-plan update and to pursue options for township cost-sharing; the board discussed budgeting $25,000–$40,000 and agreed to discuss funding during upcoming budget meetings.
The planning commission also flagged several technical issues for the master plan update, including required housing elements and coordination with township zoning. Commissioners requested legal review of any moratorium language and more information on whether state-level permits would proceed during a local pause. The issue will return for further committee and legal review before any ordinance or moratorium is adopted.
